By Michael Collins: If former IBF/WBA light welterweight champion Amir Khan really wants the rematch with newly crowned IBF/WBA light welterweight champ Lamont Peterson badly enough then Khan should be willing to fight Peterson in his home city of Washington, DC once again.
It’s only fair, as Peterson is the champion, and Khan merely just another challenger. Khan is the one that’s so badly worked up about wanting a rematch. Peterson doesn’t care because he beat Khan and doesn’t feel like he was respected by Khan or his promoters the way they began to come up with excuses in the days after the December 10th fight to try and explain away Khan’s loss.
To be sure, the WBA has ordered a rematch between Khan and Peterson, but that doesn’t a thing. Peterson can always vacate the belt rather than being force to defend the belt. He and his team have appealed the World Boxing Association’s mandate for him to give Khan a rematch.
If he wins, you can bet Peterson will move on and face someone like Zab Judah, Vernon Paris, Manny Pacquiao or Juan Manuel Marquez next. If he loses, you can bet Peterson will vacate the title rather than being told what to do by the WBA.
I don’t think Peterson should vacate the title he’s better off with two of them because it gives him more respect from fans. But in fighting Khan again, Peterson should give him Washington, DC or nothing at all. If Khan tries the neutral venue bit with him trying to get the fight in Las Vegas, I’d say no deal. Khan, as a challenger, should be the one to come to Peterson’s home city to fight because that’s what champions do. You don’t have challengers like Khan telling Peterson where the fight will or won’t take place. Khan has already said he won’t be fighting in Washington, DC ever again.